I don't know. Maybe. Possibly. You know Jeeps... when I log the o2 sensor, the graph looks fine until about 2000 rpms. Then it gets inconsistent. I haven't checked it in the past 100 miles but I am curious to see how it reads now.

A side note - I did change my oil about 200 miles ago. The original oil was loaded (I really mean loaded) with zinc for cam break in. Way too much Zinc and cats do not go good together. Possibility?

Actually that is very possible. Could have been coating the catalyst medium. And it is going to burn more oil until the rings seat. Rings also maybe? Until they started to break in and wipe oil better?

But the 2000 rpm point is suspect too, because that might be the right rpm for a particular wire to wiggle just right. I have had that happen many times. Only at that perfect rpm vibration point. lol

The Jeep has been up for sale for about a month now and it seems that not one person is interested in it for the price I want. I know I am asking too much for it but I would have at least expected someone to low ball me but no, not one person. So..... guess I am just going to have to keep it! This means my future plan of using the white one as a DD has now turned into making this one the DD. That is good because it drives a lot better then the white one. Guess I will start on replacing the heater core next week. Fun.

Looks like I am going to put off the heater core install for a bit. I mean this is southern CA and it is always hot out anyways. Instead, I get to put in a new radiator. Out with the 3 core all aluminum piece of junk that came in the Jeep and in with the lifetime warranty cheapo Ebay special. Same one I put in my white Jeep. It is here and will get installed after I am done with the cats. After doing some research on it, its actually made by OSC and is a single 1.25" core.

So while I am waiting on that, I decided to start the other wonderful job of replacing the pre-cats. I decided to try and do it without pulling the intake off. Well, it only took 20 min to get it out but not sure if I am going to be able to get it back in. There is no way to get my hand up there to hold the nuts to get the bolts started. The nuts have a little tab on them (kinda like the nut for the track bar) so once I get them started, I will be good. But again, I cant get my hand up there once the cats are set in place. My brilliant idea was to silicone the nuts to the header and hope they stick good enough to get the bolts started. We will find out if it works later tonight when I continue the installation. Had to let the silicone cure overnight. I also found out that one of the o2 sensors is stuck in the bung. Looks like someone tried to get it out before and it got stuck part way out. Adding another sensor to the list as well.

What could have gone wrong, did go wrong with the cat install. Where to start... I will start with the one thing that went right. Last post I said I siliconed the nuts to the header to help get the bolts started. That worked out great! I got all 4 bolts in by hand somehow. Thats where everything went downhill. First off, I couldnt get a socket on the bolts from underneath due to the new cats being a bit fatter. I tried a wobbly socket, wobbly extension with a short socket, 1/4" stuff, 3/8" stuff and nothing would work. So decided to try to get to the bolts from the top. Pulled the air box out and I could get to 2 of the bolts with a stubby wrench and short socket. The other 2 bolts were nearly impossibly to get to with the heat shield in the way. So got some pliers out and bent it out of the way. Much better. Started tightening all the bolts and they stopped halfway. Not only did they stop but they seized. It was a nightmare getting them back off. After about an hour, I got them all back out without breaking anything. Found some new bolts (used allen head bolts this time), chased the threads in the nuts and put it back on. Well the bolts threaded all the way in this time and I could tighten them from underneath. Got everything snug and went back up top to look at it. One of the cats was sealing good and the other was a good 1/4" off. After a couple pry bars, a ratchet strap and a second pair of hands, I got it lined up and tight. Cool, I got the 4 cat bolts tight, just need to do the 3 at the collector. Well with the way the flange was welded, one of the bolts really sucked to get to. No big deal, it took a bit but I got it. Moved on to the next bolt and it pulled the stud out of the flange... You will notice in the picture of another allen head bolt in the collector. That was my fix for the night. Its a bit small but works for now. After that, I threw my one good o2 sensor back in and went looking for an o2 plug that I know I had. Couldnt find it. Whatever, I knew a 3/8" pipe plug would work. I found one but it was a flush mount style one which wont get tight. Again, no big deal, this is just temporary to fire it up and check for leaks. Ill throw some teflon tape on it to keep it snug in there. Got the tape, started wrapping the plug and ran out of tape after 2 loops. I threw it in there anyways, loose as a goose and fired it up. No leaks except for the pipe plug! 3 hours later, I called it a night. Note to anyone else who has the same 00-01 cats and need to replace them, burn your Jeep down instead!

And dont mind the extra blown bushing on the axle, that fix will be coming soon.

Joe - I think we had about the same experience. I don't want to count the times it was in and out. Too many times! But it doesn't leak now so I'm going to run with it.

Miniature parts cannon was fired tonight, aimed at the front axle. All on needed parts though. To start, I got Moog lower and upper arms with the "problem solver" bushings. Already have the Moog bushings for the top arm mounts in the axle, just got to put them in. Got some sway bar bushings. Also got some new sway bar end links complete with new bushings. Don't forget about new bump stops. And to top it off, got a new coil rail. It has a slightly rough idle (not bad enough to throw a code) and the coil rail is the last thing to replace. I also think I'm going to throw my extra v8 ZJ steering setup on it while I have the axle out. Everything should be in by Wednesday and then the fun begins. Im ready for this thing to drive like new!

Joe - I think we had about the same experience. I don't want to count the times it was in and out. Too many times! But it doesn't leak now so I'm going to run with it.

Like I said in the other thread, your fittment looks better than mine. My low O2 sensor is pressed up against the bell housing so I reckon its just a matter of time before that gets all wacked up. Was did you use as far as gaskets between the header and the pre cats?

Like I said in the other thread, your fittment looks better than mine. My low O2 sensor is pressed up against the bell housing so I reckon its just a matter of time before that gets all wacked up. Was did you use as far as gaskets between the header and the pre cats?

I didnt use any gasket.... Just slipped the cats up there, centered the flanges as best I could and tightened it all down. I didnt see a gasket on the original cat either. I have put about 25 miles on it so far and all seems good.

The new cat actually fits better then the original. I had the same problem with the factory cat and o2 sensor. It was nearly impossible to get the sensor in and the wires rubbed the trans.

I didnt use any gasket.... Just slipped the cats up there, centered the flanges as best I could and tightened it all down. I didnt see a gasket on the original cat either. I have put about 25 miles on it so far and all seems good.

The new cat actually fits better then the original. I had the same problem with the factory cat and o2 sensor. It was nearly impossible to get the sensor in and the wires rubbed the trans.

More progress done! Had to go down to Autozone and rent the tools to get the top axle bushings in and out. That was the most time consuming part since the guy behind the counter had no idea which tool kit I was talking about. Once I found the part number, all was good. Big surprise I know.

After that, the bushing swap actually went pretty smoothly. The old ones popped out easy and the new ones went in straight. Got both sides done and one top arm installed. Called it quits after that. If everything goes well tonight, I should have the front end all buttoned up and ready for action!